In 1822, Henry Charles Carey and Isaac Lea published their A Complete Historical, Chronological, and Geographical American Atlas. This volume was based on Emmanuel Las Cases' Atlas Historique of 1803, with updated maps and text modified by Carey, a political economist. He considered himself an American foil to John Stuart Mill and the London economists who were proclaimers of "the gloomy science" influenced by Ricardo and Malthus. Instead of preaching overpopulation and degeneration of the human species, Carey illustrated the nations of the western hemisphere through maps that showed an expanding region with ample promise of developing into lands of great new opportunity and growth.

A lovely example of a steel engraving from one of the more popular nineteenth century view books, Hinton's History and Topography. This work contained text and numerous illustrations documenting the history and topography of the United States. Hinton used many different artists, all the engravings being made from drawings made on the spot. For their wide coverage, accurate detail, and pleasing appearance, these are amongst the finest small images of early nineteenth century America to be found anywhere. This interesting image shows two geological sections of the US: Northern at 41° North Latitude and Southern at 35° North Latitude. $65

A group of fascinating images from an unusual atlas; its focus is neither political nor historical, but on the geographic distributions throughout the world of such objects of scientific endeavor as species, mineral deposits, occurrence of disease, volcanic activity, climactic variation, et al.

Each study is meticulously detailed and attractively depicted. Mid nineteenth century examples of British cartography and scientific observation and interpretation combined.

J.H. Colton. "Comparative Size of Lakes and Islands." With insets: "Lakes in the Western Hemisphere," "Lakes in the Eastern Hemisphere," "Islands in the Eastern Hemisphere," and "Islands in the Western Hemisphere." From Colton's General Atlas. New York: G.W. & C.B. Colton, 1856. 12 3/4 x 15 5/8. Lithograph. Decorative border. Full margins. Light spots, else, very good condition.

In the mid-nineteenth century, the center of map publishing in America moved from Philadelphia to New York. The Colton publishing firm played a large role in this shift. This chart of comparative views of lakes and islands, with its fine detail, is a strong example of their successful work. $45

A series of precisely detailed maps of the world from one of the leading British mapmaking firms of the second half of the nineteenth century. Adam and Charles Black issued atlases from the 1840s through the 80s, keeping their maps as current as possible. These handsome and informative charts are good examples of their output. $45

"Western Hemisphere." [with] "Comparative Lengths of Rivers of North America," "Comparative Lengths of Rivers of South America," and "Comparative Heights of the Principal Mountains of the Western Hemisphere." From Mitchell's New General Atlas. Philadelphia: S. Augustus Mitchell, Jr. 1880. 14 x 10 1/8. Lithograph. Original hand coloring. Very good condition.

For most of the middle part of the nineteenth century, the firm founded by S. Augustus Mitchell dominated American cartography in output and influence. This fine map of the Western Hemisphere with its comparative views is from one of his son's atlases. $65